ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, SPECIAL POPULATIONS, Enrollment & Student Administration, Financial Assistance

About the Role

The Assistant Director collaborates closely with internal teams such as Counseling, Communication, and Compliance, as well as external campus partners like the Newbury Center and the Dean of Students Office. This position is instrumental in implementing inclusive financial aid policies, improving communication strategies, and facilitating access to resources that address the specific financial barriers faced by special populations.

The Assistant Director will coordinate the review of financial aid applications from special populations and award and process aid in accordance with federal, state and BU policies. The AD is responsible for determining student eligibility using both Federal Methodology and Institutional Methodology, reviewing appeals, maintaining accurate financial aid records and counseling students and parents on all aspects of the financial aid process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead outreach and counseling efforts to support special student populations, including first-generation college students, international students eligible for BU need-based scholarships, QuestBridge match students, and students from partnership groups, providing tailored financial aid guidance to promote equitable access and success.
• Manage and assess financial aid programs aimed at reducing barriers for underrepresented groups, collaborating with campus and community partners to enhance support.
• Analyze financial aid data to identify trends and challenges, using insights to improve services and inform planning.
• Review and update financial aid policies and procedures to ensure inclusivity and regulatory compliance.
• Act as liaison with university departments to advocate for the specific financial needs of special populations and strengthen institutional partnerships.

About the Organization

Boston University Financial Assistance is part of the Enrollment & Student Administration unit (ENSA). BU Financial Assistance plays a critical role in ENSA’s mission; enrolling and retaining students, securing external funding and generating tuition revenue through strategic discounting. BU Financial Assistance provides important services through timely and accurate review of financial aid applications, awarding of financial aid funds, processing of loans, and by providing counseling to students and parents on the financial aid process, programs and related issues.

Across the 11 departments of ENSA, we are dedicated to ensuring that our policies, practices, and services meet the needs of an increasingly inclusive University community of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni. We do so through a lens of respect, and a commitment to encouraging the personal success and productivity of all employees.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

About the Candidate

A Bachelor’s degree is required for this position. We are seeking a candidate who:

• Has one to three years of experience in a service- and detail-oriented position;
• Displays strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills;
• Is an effective communicator, and;
• Demonstrates the ability to work well in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
• Working knowledge of federal and state financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations is preferred.

Benefits and other information

• Remote work is dependent on performance and responsibility. This position is designated as remote-local. The successful candidate must reside within a 3-hour commuting distance of the University to attend occasional in-person events as required.
• Generous benefits package including health, dental, life insurance, tuition remission, retirement plan, paid time off

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.